Markus Lüpertz

Background Information about Markus Lüpertz

Introduction

Untitled, 2005/6

Markus Lüpertz, now an honorary doctor and rector of Düsseldorf’s Art Academy, is of the most dazzling artists on the German scene. As a "new wild man" of the 1960s he made his name with expressive, representational painting. The "painting king's" interests extend from set design to poetry and prose writing to playing improv jazz on the piano.

His large sculptures, contended since 1980, have instigated major controversy in various European cities. Thematically, Lüpertz is captivated primarily by European history and Greek mythology and its symbolism; he only briefly touches on the abstract. Today he counts among the world’s most important exponents of neo-expressionism.

Over many years time Lüpertz cultivated the technique of color etching. Below two speculative remarks on his motifs:
- The turtle is a symbol of the underworld but also of fertility, domesticity, chastity, and patience.
- "Dressed elegantly the modern dandy (Lüpertz) strolls across the boulevard of the contemporary press as his predecessor did over the Champs-Elysées. Some of his eccentric forerunners were led through the Paris arcades by a turtle. But what the slow turtle was to the classic dandy is now the self-bred attack dog to Lüpertz, whose colors have been bred to match his suit. The means of self-representation have sharpened in the truest sense of the word."

(Sabine Heinlein in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, July 15, 2000)

Bio

1941

born in Liberec (formerly Reichenberg/Böhmen), Czech Republic

1956-1961

studied at Werkkunstschule Krefeld, worked in coal mine, then road construction, followed by further studies in Krefeld and at the Düsseldorf Art Academy, Germany

seit 1961

independent artist and poet

1962

began "dithyrambish painting" in Berlin, Germany

1964

opening of the Galerie Großgörschen 35 in Berlin

1970

Villa Romana Prize for a one-year residence in Florence, Italy, began the "German Motifs"

1971

German Critics’ Prize

1973

Survey of work at the Staatlichen Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, Germany

1974

organized the first Biennale Berlin, Germany

1976-1987

Professor at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe, Germany

1977

began "Style-Pictures", withdrew participation in "documenta 6" with Georg Baselitz

1980

began the "Alice in Wonderland" Cycle

1982

Participation in "documenta 7" in Kassel, stage design for the opera Vincent by Rainer Kunad at the Staatstheater Kassel, Germany

1983

Stage design for the opera Werther by Jules Massenet at Ulmer Theater (before the premiere, the set was removed at the request of the actors), Ulm, Germany, Professor at the Summer Academy in Salzburg, Austria, Publication of the collection of poems Poems 1961-1983, Selection

1984

Residence in New York, creation of the pictures "Pierrot Lunaire"

1985

began pictures after Corot

1986

Professor at the Düsseldorf Art Academy, Rector since 1988, creation of the "Interspace-Ghost Series"

1989

Retrospective of paintings, sculptures, and drawing from 1964 to 1988 at Abbaye Saint-André and Centre d'Art Contemporaine in Meymac, France, began pictures after Poussin

1989-1990

Church window design for the Nevers cathedral, France

1990

Lovis Corinth Prize of the Essling Artist Guild

1991

Stage design and costumes for the opera The Storm by Frank Martin (after William Shakespeare) at the Bremer Theater, Germany

1993

Creation of the first pictures in the series "Men without Women – Parsifal"

1996

Creation of the "Othello" Cycle, design, stage design, and costumes for Verdi’s opera Troubadour at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Duisburg and Düsseldorf, Germany

1998

Von der Heydt-Museum, Wuppertal, Germany

1999

Began the cycle "Vanitas", Zeche Zollverein, Essen, Germany

2000

Outfitted the Bensberg Palace park with an ensemble of three sculptures, Germany

2001

Wrap-around wall images "The Six Virtues" and the bronze "The Philosophers" for the Berlin Kanzleramt, Germany

I hereby agree to the General Terms & Conditions. You can find more information on cancellation rights here. By submitting this form, you consent to the saving and processing of your information. Your information will only be used for the purpose of processing and fulfilling your request. You can find more information in our Privacy Policy.

Art Magazine

Newsletter

Thank you for your interest in LUMAS!

You will receive an email with a link to confirm your newsletter subscription shortly. Please check your spam folder if you do not receive the email. Simply click the confirmation link to complete your subscription.